I talked to Sher!

For Sher's birthday (May 5) her mom paid for Sher and I to talk for an entire hour! Sher and Justin have a cell phone, but they seldom have service on Maewo (the island where they live). Luckily this weekend they spent on a different island with better cell reception. Vanuatu is 14 hours ahead of Texas and Kansas. Sher called me when she woke up Saturday morning, which was about 4:30 p.m. on Friday. She called me at work and I called her back, using her parents' international calling card number.

I was amazed by how easy it was to talk to her! The hardest part is actually arranging a time when both parties are available. There was a longer delay in the conversation than usual, we kept interrupting one another. Still, it was SO GOOD to hear her voice. She said to tell you all hello. 

In case you haven't been reading her blogs, Sher's "job" is that of a teacher-educator. Twice a month she leads workshops to train the teachers on Maewo. Justin is supposed to be doing some technology development work, but the computers haven't yet arrived, so I'm not quite sure how he spends his days. 

Sher sounds very happy and healthy. The simple life of a Peace Corps Volunteer appeals to her. She and Justin get about the equivalent of $40 a day from their PCV salary. Maewo largely uses bartering, not money, as means of currency. She told me they're actually making money, which is unusual for PCVs! Her family is visiting this summer, I believe S&J are meeting them in New Zealand and Justin's family plan to visit next Christmas, they'll probably meet in Australia. I'm so happy they get to travel. It would be a shame to be so close to other countries and not see them. 

Maewo is ridiculously isolated. Mail is delivered by air, but the airport "runway", a field, is often so overgrown with vegetation that the plane can't land. Sher and Justin traveled to this other island on a shipping vessel. She said they rode 12 hours next to huge cargo freights. What an adventure!

I'll be flying to New Zealand in late December or early January, on my way to Antarctica. I hope to visit Sher and Justin in their humble abode either before or after that expedition. Apparently they even have a guest room - with my name on it, Sher says.

Anyway, I thought you all would appreciate an update! Her blogs are fascinating and located at: http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Sheridan/